Witnesses is the New York City-based solo Prog/post-Metal Doom band that released the excellent Holy Water EP earlier this year. They just released a new single “The Curse of Tarry Town or the Hessian’s Diary” which you can stream today and watch the visualizer below. The captivating track features frequent collaborators in vocalist Gabbi Coenen and “Black Jazz” innovator Jørgen Munkeby on Saxophone. Check it out!
Bio:
The cross-genre project of multi instrumentalist Greg Schwan began in 2015 designed to explore a multi-genre approach through a non-traditional band structure. Continuing to develop Witnesses’ music, “The Curse of Tarry Town” tells the story of Washington Irving’s headless horseman, but from the latter’s perspective. Opening with entwining serene acoustic guitar and piano melodies, a dark undertone delicately emerges before venturing into heavy realms. Entrancing vocal deliveries from Gabbi Coenen enhance the immersive quality of this release and complement the stylistic transitions. The slower pace and elongated chords, inspired from a growing influence of doom metal, combine with the instrumental and vocal textures to produce an atmospheric sound. Playing further with genre expectations and instrumentation, Witnesses incorporate a bright saxophone lead that bridges across the light and heavy music.
Experience the enthralling delights of Witnesses through an unconventional twist on a dark tale. Taking an unusual approach through all aspects from the lyrical narrative through to the music itself, Witnesses opens the door to the obscure.
Greg comments “I wrote this song foremost to have fun with Washington Irving’s Headless Horseman. I wanted to give the character a certain perspective on what’s happening around him, while the music continues in the vein of The Holy Water EP.”
Check out our interview with Witnesses earlier this year:
Witnesses is:
Greg Schwan – Guitar, Bass, Drum programming, Keys, Mixing, Mastering
Guest/Session Musicians:
Gabbi Coenen (LA): Vocals
Jørgen Munkeby (Norway): Saxophone